Hey out there. I'm new here, and this is my first attempt at a diary. Please bear with me if it gets long or meanders....
When I was 19, I got super excited by the Clinton/Gore campaign. It was my generation's Kennedy campaign, really. It was the first time in my life I'd ever cared about politics. I began watching the news religiously. I watched election coverage of every primary. And from that point, I was a political junkie, of a kind. When Gore lost, I wanted to tear my hair out. I've screamed at my tv more in the last seven years than I care to really admit to, particularly any time W is saying something. Lately, it's Hillary and her surrogates, especially her husband, I scream impotently at, but that's another story.
About three years ago, my mother began talking to me about this show she never missed on MSNBC. I vaugely remembered it's host from ESPN. Finally, I sat down to watch. And that was it. To this day, I think I've only missed a few broadcasts. I was shocked that there was someone who didn't have the debate format I so hated about Hardball (and still do). I was shocked that someone told the truth, rather than glossing it over or, conversely, outright lying. (I'm looking at O'Reilly here...)It made me laugh - who else makes reference to "Brazil" or Family Guy - and has on occasion infuriated me. Tonight for instance, the Wal-Mart story infuriated me. I have issues with them which I guess I'll have to save for another day since I don't want this to get too long.
So why do I say "Thank goodness"? Because someone else feels how I feel, and has a venue to say it to the world. Because he's informed me about things I never knew about. Because I like to laugh even when I'm angry, or feeling disillusioned. Because he forces me to think about things, and find out more. I appreciate that more than I can say. I've become a more informed voter, a more informed American, because of him. As a 35-year old woman who's quickly becoming tired of this campaign season and the sniping, lies, and backbiting, thank goodness for KO. Since I can't email him and tell him this, I'm doing it here. Maybe in the end, this is little more than fan service, I don't know. Maybe it's all been said here before. Either way, thanks, Keith. You're the only newsman I've ever wanted to have a beer with. And thanks to anyone who reads this for indulging a newbie in a little hero worshipping.
UPDATE 3/27 - Glad to see Keith is pushing Wal*Mart so hard on the show. They deserve nothing less. And big thanks to all commenters yesterday and today.